MT1-MMP-deficient mice develop connective tissue abnormalities

Excerpt

MT1-MMP is a membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase (MT-MMP) that can mediate pericellular proteolysis of extracellular matrix components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) form a family of zinc endopeptidases that play an important role in mediating stromal remodelling such as occurs during cell migration, angiogenesis and wound healing. While most MMPs are secreted, MT-MMPs are type I membrane proteins with a single transmembrane domain and an extracellular catalytic domain. Their membrane location suggests that they may mediate pericellular proteolysis. Mouse strains deficient in several individual MMPs have been previously developed and they showed little or no defect in their development. To establish the biological role of MT1-MMP in modelling of skeletal and extraskeletal connective tissues during development. …